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“If you feel that there's the author and then the character, then the book is not working. People have a habit of identifying the author with the narrator, and you can't, obviously, be all of the narrators in all of your books, or else you'd be a very strange person indeed.” — Margaret Atwood

Although most seasoned writers understand narrative point of view (and often use the same type in many books they write), it can be a difficult concept for beginners to grasp.

And if you can’t truly comprehend point of view — or the impact it has on your work as a writer — how can you hope to choose the right one for your story?

To make the process a little easier, it’s worth starting at the very beginning by explaining narrative point of view and listing the primary types used in fiction…

So, what exactly is it?

Simply put, it’s the perspective from which your story is told. It determines the narrator’s relationship to the story.

It’s the voice that speaks to the reader. It’s how the reader not only gets information but also connects with the story.

Chances are you vaguely remember the types of narrative viewpoint from school. They include the following:

• First person: The first person uses the pronouns I, me, and my. It’s when a single character describes his or her experiences.

Since one individual is telling the story, the reader only has access to information shared by the narrator.

• Second person: The second person uses the pronouns you, your, and yours. It’s when the narrator is speaking directly to the reader, drawing them closer to the story.

Tip: This is actually tougher than it sounds, which is why most writers steer clear.

• Third person limited: The third person limited uses the pronouns she, he, her, and his. It’s when the narrator is outside of the story, relating a character’s experiences to the reader.

Tip: This viewpoint is popular in mysteries and thrillers.

• Third person objective: The third person objective also uses the pronouns she, he, her, and his. But, as the name suggests, the narrator is completely objective, sharing only the facts with the reader.

Tip: Third person objective isn’t often used over the course of a story, as it doesn’t provide the reader with any insights.

Third person omniscient: The third person omniscient also uses the pronouns she, he, her, and his.

However, unlike third person limited and third person objective, omniscient is when the narrator is able to relate the thoughts and experiences of all the characters in the story. Essentially, the narrator has a “God’s eye view.”

Tip: Third person omniscient is often used in fantasies.

Right now you may be thinking, “Okay, I get it, but is narrative point of view THAT important? Will choosing the wrong one have a major impact on my story?”

Here are some tips that will help if you’re unsure what viewpoint to use in your work.

1. Determine how much distance you want to put between the reader and the narrator.

Do you want to talk directly to the reader? If so, it may be worth experimenting with second person. However, note that this can be difficult to use all the way through — unless you’re writing a self-help book.

Do you want to create a sense of intimacy without pulling the reader into the story? If that’s the case, then first person may be a good choice, as it allows the reader to connect with the emotions and mindset of the character telling the story.

Do you want to set the narrator far apart from the reader while giving a broad view of the story? For that, it may be in your best interest to use third person omniscient, which enables the reader to learn more about all of the characters in your story.

2. Consider how much information you want the reader to have.

When selecting a narrative point of view for your story, you also need to think about how much information you’re willing to share with the reader, and whether the story will make sense with a particular narrator.

If you like to play your cards close to your chest, then you likely don’t want to give away too much.

That’s when first person serves you well, as it takes the reader on the same journey as the character telling the story. The reader makes the same discoveries as the narrator, at the same time.

However, if there will be huge gaps in your story by relying on the viewpoint of a single character, third person omniscient may be a safer choice, as you can share anything and everything with the reader — though you don’t have to.

Nice article. For me, the main challenge has always been creating the character who will (predominately) tell the story. In that sense, it's not about choosing between various characters existing in the novel, but rather choosing the most interesting and compelling kind of person to carry the story.